Judge Orders Reprinting Of SD Voter Pamphlets

A circuit court judge ordered Secretary of State Jason Gant to place an opposing statement on a proposed constitutional amendment in an election guide.

Judge Mark Barnett says Gant broke the law by not including opposition statements on a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Sen. Stan Adelstein had sued Gant and asked that the pamphlets be recalled and new ones printed, with Adelstein's opposing view on a proposed balanced budget amendment. Gant had said he sought people to present opposing views but had no takers.

Gant says in a news release issued shortly after Friday's ruling that he has already started publishing new pamphlets.

The informational pamphlets are available online and were sent to news outlets and county auditors in late August to help them inform voters.